In the heart of Toledo lies a hidden gem for board game enthusiasts and beginners alike – Flip the Table, a board game lounge that offers a unique (to Toledo) gaming experience.
Toledo has always had a decent amount of friendly local gaming stores (FLGS in internet-speak), where interested parties can shop for board games, role playing games and the like. A lot of these also allow you to play games as well. But these spaces can also be a little intimidating to beginners to the hobby.
Enter Flip the Table, a board game lounge recently opened by Tiffany and Dominique Kramer. “We’ve always been board game people,” Tiffany Kramer said. “I wouldn’t say we’re serious hobbyists like a lot of people are, but we like the quicker games that we can play with friends and family that aren’t super into board games.”
The two visited a board game lounge in Seattle and Cleveland and they decided that Toledo could really use something similar. You can come here “and just play games,” which is one of the many things that sets it apart from those FLGSs.
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Flip the Table is located right next to the new Earnest Brew Works Westgate. It costs $5 per person to play for a day. It’s a wonderful open space with big windows and comfortable spaces. There are two separate cozy lounges if you would prefer to game on couches, but also plenty of large and small tables throughout to accommodate a group of any size.
Flip the Table offers a variety of food and beverage options to keep you fueled during your gaming sessions. From snacks and candy to sodas and beer, there’s something for everyone. They recently got their liquor license and now usually serve a mixed drink in addition to the cans they always have available. I’m hoping that they and Earnest can work out a deal for draft beer. If you are hungry, you are welcome to bring in an outside meal. Right in the heart of Westgate, there’s no shortage of great options.
Step inside and be transported to a world of creativity, strategy and fun. Flip the Table boasts an extensive collection of almost 600 board games, ranging from classics like Monopoly and Scrabble to modern favorites like Catan and Pandemic. They also have a nice collection of old, vintage games like Dark Tower, one of my favorites as a child (they also have the new one!). Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or new to the hobby, you’re sure to find something to your liking.
My wife and I love to have friends over for a night of board gaming, but we also have a three-year old and way too many toys. Thus, having people over becomes a real chore in preparation. This is also what appealed to Tiffany Kramer. She said, “We have a whole zoo at home so having people over is a full operation.” With the lounge, you don’t have to bring anything and you don’t have to clean up (well, you should probably pick your board game up).
The lounge’s inviting atmosphere, with comfortable seating and warm lighting, provides the perfect setting for hours of gaming. They host private events as well and recently hosted a nine year-old’s birthday party. “We had a lot of kids in here and they had a blast,” Tiffany Kramer said
There are plenty of fun things for most ages. We brought our three year-old and found plenty to play. There are also children’s legos and puzzles. Their website inventory lists over 30 games for Children. Their hours can be a little unfriendly for children, but Saturdays and Sundays they do get a lot of families.
The calendar is filled with fun and interesting events, including Trivia, Date Nights (with a more romantic atmosphere), Open Table (where solo gamers can come and join other groups), Bring Your Own Record Nights, College Nights, Dungeons and Dragons, and others.
I also have a long-running gaming group that is usually running a pretty serious space consuming game (currently it is Frosthaven). Flip the Table is a perfect solution for those nights when we feel like playing a new game but not the desire to clean up the current game. It is also great for trying out games before we buy them, which like everything else are just getting more and more expensive.
Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, a family-friendly activity, or a solo gaming retreat, Flip the Table has something for everyone. So gather your friends, grab a game, and don’t be a sore loser and flip the table!
Hours (do check their calendar as they do host private events some nights):
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesdays: 6pm – 11pm
Thursdays: 6pm – 11pm
Fridays: 6pm – 1am
Saturdays: 5pm – 1am
Sundays: 12pm – 5pm
